Functional measurement patient interface module (pim) for distribuited wireless intraluminal sensing systems

ABSTRACT

An intraluminal sensing system is provided. The intraluminal sensing system includes a patient interface module (PIM) in communication with an intraluminal device comprising a physiologic sensor and positioned within a body lumen of a patient, a wireless router via a signal link, and a computing device in wireless communication with the wireless router, wherein the PIM comprises a processing component configured to receive a sensor signal from the physiologic sensor; and determine physiologic data based on at least the sensor signal; and a power and communication component configured to receive power from the signal link; and transmit, to the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, the physiologic data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to intraluminal functional assessment and, in particular, to decoupling physiologic functional assessment algorithms and processing from control and display by computing physiologic data at a functional measurement (FM)-patient interface module (PIM) and distributing the computed physiologic data wirelessly to multiple diagnostic console and/or control systems via a wireless router.

BACKGROUND

Assessing the functional significances of cardiovascular and peripheral vascular diseases by intraluminal pressure and/or flow measurements can be beneficial to guide treatments of atherosclerotic diseases. Intraluminal devices with sensing and functional measurement (FM) capabilities have been developed to perform various types of measurements. For example, an intraluminal device may include a pressure sensor and/or a flow sensor at the tip of the intraluminal device. The intraluminal device may be inserted into a vessel of a patient body and the pressure sensor and/or the flow sensor may measure pressure and/or flow within the vessel. In particular, indices have been developed for coronary arteries to guide cardiologists in the decision of treating lesions. Examples of pressure-based indices may include fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR). An example of flow-based indices may include coronary flow reserve (CFR). An example of a combination of pressure-based and flow-based indices may include hyperemic stenosis resistance (HSR). These pressure-based and/or flow-based indices can provide better guidance to treatment decisions compared to angiographic assessment alone.

The operations of an intraluminal sensing device may require several wire connections, for example, for receiving power and for communication with a console for display and control and/or with a computing system for various physiologic data computations. For example, the sensors may receive power via the wire connections for operating the sensors and the sensor signals may be processed (e.g., amplified and/or filtered) and output to the console via the wire connections and/or further computations and processing at the computing system to obtain meaningful and/or useful data for diagnosis.

Intraluminal procedures may be performed in catheter labs and office-based labs (OBLs). The use of intraluminal devices in catheter labs and OBLs increases the number of cables in the catheter labs and OBLs and may clutter the workspace of the catheter labs and the OBLs. In some instances, it may be desirable to output sensor data signals to multiple diagnostic systems for various aspects of a workflow, and which further increasing the amount of cabling. These conditions can make a physician's ability to gather medical data for patient diagnosis more challenging.

SUMMARY

While existing intraluminal sensing systems have proved useful, there remains a need for improved systems and techniques for reducing the amount of cabling between intraluminal sensing devices and systems in catheter labs or OBLs. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a FM-PIM that computes physiologic data based on sensor signals collected from physiologic sensors and distributes the physiologic data wirelessly to multiple systems via a power over Ethernet (PoE) connection to a wireless router. For example, the FM-PIM is coupled to an intraluminal sensing device including at least one physiologic sensor, which may be a pressure sensor or a flow sensor, and a wireless router via an Ethernet cable providing the PoE connection. The FM-PIM includes a processing component coupled to the physiologic sensor and a PoE component coupled to the Ethernet cable. The PoE component receives power from the Ethernet cable to power the FM-PIM and the intraluminal sensing device. During a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure, the intraluminal sensing device can be inserted into a vessel of a patient and the physiologic sensor can obtain measurements associated with the vessel. The processing component receives sensor signals from the sensor and applies physiologic analytic algorithms to determine physiologic data from the received sensor signals. The processing component formats the physiologic data into a format suitable for display. The PoE component transmits and distributes the physiologic data to one or more systems that are in wireless communication with the wireless router. The PoE component can also receive control and/or data signals from one or more systems to facilitate the physiologic measurements and/or physiologic data computations.

In one embodiment, an intraluminal sensing system is provided. The intraluminal sensing system includes a patient interface module (PIM) in communication with an intraluminal device comprising a physiologic sensor and positioned within a body lumen of a patient, a wireless router via a signal link, and a computing device in wireless communication with the wireless router, wherein the PIM comprises a processing component configured to receive a sensor signal from the physiologic sensor; and determine physiologic data based on at least the sensor signal; and a power and communication component configured to receive power from the signal link; and transmit, to the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, the physiologic data.

In some embodiments, the power and communication component is further configured to receive a control signal from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, and wherein the processing component is further configured to receive the sensor signal based on at least the control signal. In some embodiments, the power and communication component is further configured to receive a control signal from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, and wherein the processing component is further configured to determine the physiologic data based on the control signal. In some embodiments, the power and communication component is further configured to provide the power received from the signal link to the physiologic sensor of the intraluminal device. In some embodiments, the power and communication component is further configured to provide the power received from the signal link to the processing component. In some embodiments, the PIM further includes a memory coupled to the processing component and configured to store the physiologic data. In some embodiments, the PIM further includes a display coupled to the processing component and configured to display the physiologic data. In some embodiments, the power and communication component is further configured to receive, from a hemodynamic system via the signal link and the wireless router, a proximal pressure measurement, and wherein the processing component is further configured to determine the physiologic data by determining a distal pressure measurement based on the sensor signal; and determine a pressure ratio based on the proximal pressure measurement and the distal pressure measurement. In some embodiments, the processing component is further configured to determine the physiologic data by determining, based on the sensor signal, a flow-related value associated with the body lumen. In some embodiments, the intraluminal sensing system further comprises the intraluminal device. In some embodiments, the physiologic sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor or a flow sensor. In some embodiments, the PIM further comprises a patient isolation circuit coupled between the power and communication component and the processing component. In some embodiments, the processing component is configured to format the physiologic data into a format usable by the computing device to display the physiologic data, and wherein the power and communication component is configured to transmit the physiologic data in the format usable by the computing device to display the physiologic data. In some embodiments, the PIM is in communication with a second computing device in wireless communication with the wireless router, and wherein the power and communication component is further configured to transmit, to the second computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, the physiologic data.

In one embodiment, a method of performing physiologic sensing is provided. The method includes receiving, by a patient interface module (PIM) from an intraluminal sensing device, a sensor signal associated with a body lumen of a patient; determining, by the PIM, physiologic data based on at least the sensor signal; receiving, by the PIM, power from a wireless router via a signal link; and transmitting, by the PIM to a computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, the physiologic data.

In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the PIM from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, a control signal, wherein the receiving the sensor signal includes receiving the sensor signal based on at least the control signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the PIM from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, a control signal, wherein the determining the physiologic data includes determining the physiologic data further based on at least the control signal. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the PIM from a hemodynamic system via the signal link and the wireless router, a proximal pressure measurement, wherein the determining the physiologic data includes determining a distal pressure measurement based on the sensor signal; and determining a pressure ratio based on the proximal pressure measurement and the distal pressure measurement. In some embodiments, the determining the physiologic data includes determining a flow-related value associated with the body lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes formatting, by the PIM, the physiologic data according to a display format of the computing device, wherein the transmitting the physiologic data includes transmitting the physiologic data in the display format of the computing device.

Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a distributed wireless intraluminal sensing system, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an intraluminal sensing device, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a use case scenario for a distributed wireless intraluminal sensing system, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an architecture of a function measurement (FM)-patient interface module (PIM), according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating functional blocks of a FM-PIM, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of performing physiologic sensing, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation to the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, systems, and methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated and included within the present disclosure as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other embodiments of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, however, the numerous iterations of these combinations will not be described separately.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a distributed wireless intraluminal sensing system 100, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The system 100 may include an intraluminal sensing device 102, a FM-PIM 130, a wireless router 132, a plurality of distributed systems 134, for example, including a hemodynamic system 134 a, an FM control system 134 b, and an FM console system 134 c. The FM-PIM 130 is in communication with the intraluminal sensing device 102 and the wireless router 132. The FM-PIM 130 is connected to the wireless router 132 via an Ethernet cable 140. The Ethernet cable 140 functions as a signal link or PoE link delivering power to the FM-PIM 130 and the intraluminal sensing device 102 as shown by the arrow 142 and transporting data between the FM-PIM 130 and the wireless router 132 as shown by the arrow 144. The wireless router 132 is in wireless communication with the systems 134 as shown by the radio frequency (RF) signals 150. Thus, the FM-PIM 130 can communicate with one or more of the systems 134 via the wireless router 132.

The intraluminal sensing device 102 may include a flexible elongate member 158, which may be a catheter, a guide wire, or a guide catheter. The flexible elongate member 158 includes a distal portion 108, a proximal portion 106, and a housing 112 positioned adjacent to the distal portion 108. The housing 112 may be positioned at a distance (e.g., about 3 centimeters (cm)) from a distal tip of the intraluminal sensing device 102. The housing 112 may include sensor assembly (sensor assembly 116 shown in FIG. 2), which may include one or more physiologic sensors, transducers, and/or other monitoring elements configured to obtain diagnostic information about a body lumen or vessel 120. For example, the flexible elongate member 158 can be inserted into a vessel 120 of a patient and the sensors can measure physiological characteristics, which may be pressure, flow, temperature, and/or volume, of fluid in the vessel 120.

Vessel 120 may represent fluid filled or surrounded structures, both natural and man-made. The vessel 120 may be within a body of a patient. The vessel 120 may be a blood vessel, as an artery or a vein of a patient's vascular system, including cardiac vasculature, peripheral vasculature, neural vasculature, renal vasculature, and/or any suitable lumen inside the body. The intraluminal device 102 is an intravascular device in some embodiments. The intraluminal imaging device 102 may be used to examine any number of anatomical locations and tissue types, including without limitation, organs including the liver, heart, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas, lungs; ducts; intestines; nervous system structures including the brain, dural sac, spinal cord and peripheral nerves; the urinary tract; as well as valves within the blood, chambers or other parts of the heart, and/or other systems of the body. The intraluminal device 102 may be used to examine any lumen in the above anatomical locations. In addition to natural structures, the intraluminal device 102 may be used to examine man-made structures such as, but without limitation, heart valves, stents, shunts, filters and other devices.

The intraluminal sensing device 102 may further include a cable (a cable 117 shown in FIG. 2) coupled to the sensor assembly in the housing 112 to provide communication between the sensor assembly and the FM-PIM 130. For example, the communication cable can transfer the sensor measurements to the FM-PIM 130 and transfer power from the FM-PIM 130 to the sensor assembly. Electrical signals can be transmitted between the FM-PIM 130 and the intraluminal sensing device 102 via a cable 146.

The FM-PIM 130 includes a processing component (a processing component 410 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), which may include hardware and/or software, configured to determine and compute physiologic data based on the sensor measurements, for example, by applying signal processing algorithms and/or physiologic analytic algorithms to the sensor measurements. Some examples of physiologic data may include a pressure ratio, fractional flow reserve (FFR), instantaneous wave free ratio (iFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR), flow volume, thermal flow, temperature, and/or other suitable values. The physiologic data may aid in treatment decisions and or guide treatment procedures.

The FM-PIM 130 further includes a power and communication component (a PoE component 430 shown in FIG. 4) coupled to the wireless router 132 by the Ethernet cable 140. For example, the wireless router 132 functions as a power sourcing equipment and the FM-PIM 130 function as a power device. The Ethernet cable 140 includes multiple twisted pairs. The Ethernet cable 140 can transport power and data over different twisted pairs or the same twisted pairs as described in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standards. The internal components of the FM-PIM 130 are described in greater detail herein with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. The FM-PIM 130 communicates the physiologic data to the wireless router 132 via the Ethernet cable 140.

The wireless router 132 may be any wireless communication device or access point configured with support for transporting data and power (e.g., PoE support). The wireless router 132 may include transceivers and antennas configured to communicate with the systems 134 according to any suitable wireless communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) standards, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and ultra-wideband (UWB). For example, the wireless router 132 may forward signals received from the systems 134 to the FM-PIM 130. In a reverse direction, the wireless router 132 may forward signals received from the FM-PIM 130 to the system 134. The wireless router 132 may include a power and communication component configured to deliver power to the FM-PIM 130 and to transport data via the Ethernet cable 140, for example, according to the IEEE 802.3 standards.

The systems 134 may include computing devices including hardware and/or software, consoles, keyboards, display monitors, and/or touchscreens for controlling and/or monitoring physiologic assessments and measurements. The systems 134 may further include wireless communication devices including transceivers and antennas for wireless communication with the wireless router 132. The wireless communication devices may implement a similar wireless communication protocol as the wireless router 132 for communication with the wireless router 132. Thus, in some embodiments, the systems 134 may be wireless computer workstations, wireless tablets, and/or any mobile devices.

The FM control system 134 b can send control signals carrying commands for performing a medical diagnostic or treatment procedure using the intraluminal sensing device 102 and the wireless router 132 can forward the control signals to the FM-PIM 130. For example, the FM control system 134 b may function similar to a bedside controller. The FM-PIM 130 can control the sensor assembly in the intraluminal sensing device 102 and/or compute physiologic measurement data according to the control commands. For example, during a medical diagnostic or treatment procedure, a clinician may operate the FM control system 134 b by sending a start command to begin acquiring sensor measurements, a recording command to record the sensor measurements, and/or a stop command to stop the acquisition. The FM-PIM 130 may send the computed physiologic measurement data to the FM control system 134 b for display via the wireless router 132. In some embodiments, the FM-PIM 130 may simultaneously send the computed physiologic measurement data to the FM control system 134 b and the FM console system 134 c for display via the wireless router 132. In some embodiments, the FM console system 134 c may function as another controller performing different aspects of the workflow than the FM control system 134 b.

The hemodynamic system 134 a can perform hemodynamic measurements and hemodynamic analysis and facilitate various physiologic measurements. For example, the hemodynamic system 134 a may include instruments for performing aortic or proximal pressure measurements and/or electrocardiography (ECG) measurements. The hemodynamic system 134 a can send the aortic or proximal pressure measurements and/or ECG measurements to the FM-PIM 130 via the wireless router 132 to facilitate the computation of physiologic data at the FM-PIM 130, as described in greater detail herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intraluminal sensing device 102, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The intraluminal sensing device 102 includes an internal sensor mount 110, the external housing 112, sensor assembly 116, a proximal flexible member 114, a distal flexible member 118, and a proximal electrical interface 122.

The proximal electrical interface 122 is configured to electrically connect the sensor assembly 116 to the FM-PIM 130 for communicating signals (e.g., power and data). In accordance with this, the electrical interface 122 is in electrical communication with the sensor assembly 116. The electrical interface 122 may include a series of conductive contacts on its outer surface that engage and communicate with corresponding contacts on the FM-PIM 130.

The sensor assembly 116 may include one or more sensors. The sensor assembly 116 is arranged and configured to measure a physiological characteristic of a patient. When used on the intraluminal sensing device 102, the sensor assembly 116 is arranged and configured to measure a physiological characteristic of a vessel itself, such as a vascular vessel. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly 116 may include a pressure monitoring element configured to monitor a pressure within a lumen of the vessel 120. The pressure monitoring element can take the form of a piezo-resistive pressure sensor, a piezo-electric pressure sensor, a capacitive pressure sensor, an electromagnetic pressure sensor, an optical pressure sensor, and/or combinations thereof. In some instances, one or more features of the pressure monitoring element are implemented as a solid-state component manufactured using semiconductor and/or other suitable manufacturing techniques.

In another embodiment, the sensor assembly 116 may include a flow monitoring element configured to monitor a flow within a lumen of the vessel 120. The flow monitoring element may be a flow velocity sensor or a flow volume sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor assembly 116 may include a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature within a lumen of the vessel 120.

In yet other embodiments, the sensor assembly 116 includes a plurality of sensors arranged to detect one or more characteristics of the patient and provide feedback or information relating to the detected physiological characteristic(s). The sensor assembly 116 may be disposed, for example, less than about 5 cm from a distal-most end 174 of the intraluminal sensing device 102. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly 116 is disposed about 3 cm from the distal-most end 174 of the intraluminal sensing device 102.

The intraluminal sensing device 102 includes a cable 117 extending from the sensor assembly 116 to the proximal electrical interface 122. The cable 117 may include conductors, which may be electrical cables or wires configured to carry signals and/or power between the sensor assembly 116 and the proximal electrical interface 122. In some embodiments, the conductors are integrated with a core wire 119, which can extend along a length of the intraluminal sensing device 102 with the core wire 119. In some embodiments, three conductors are provided; however, the number of conductors in any particular embodiment may depend in part on the type or number of sensors disposed within the intraluminal sensing device 102. For example, the number of conductors can be in the range of about one to twenty conductors, one to ten conductors, one to five conductors, one to four conductors, one to three conductors, etc.

The external housing 112 is positioned between the proximal flexible member 114 and the distal flexible member 118, and is configured to cover and protect the sensor assembly 116. In an embodiment, the sensor assembly 116 may be mounted within the internal sensor mount 110, which may be a short tube or a hypotube, using epoxy.

The proximal flexible member 114 extends proximally from the internal sensor mount 110 towards the proximal electrical interface 122. The proximal flexible member 114 may be a polymer tube, a coil-embedded polymer tube, or a coil. The distal flexible member 118 may be similar to the proximal flexible member 114 and may include a radiopaque coil. The intraluminal sensing device 102 further includes a distal-most end 174. The distal-most end 174 may be rounded end that can smoothly slide against tissue as the intraluminal sensing device 102 is fed through the vasculature of a patient.

FIG. 3 illustrates a use case scenario 300 for the distributed wireless intraluminal sensing system 100, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The scenario 300 includes a catheter lab 310 and a control room 320. The catheter lab 310 is an examination room in a hospital or clinic where a physician or a clinician may perform a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure on a patient, for example, using the intraluminal sensing device 102. The control room 320 may be another room in the hospital or clinic where anther physician or clinician may monitor the physiologic data obtained from the medical procedure during the procedure. For example, the intraluminal sensing device 102, the FM-PIM 130, the wireless router 132, the hemodynamic system 134 a, and the FM control system 134 b are located in the catheter lab 310, while the FM console system 134 c is located in the control room 320.

During a medical procedure, a physician may insert the intraluminal sensing device 102 into a patient vessel (e.g., the vessel 120) of interest. The physician may normalize and/or calibrate the intraluminal sensing device 102 by operating the FM control system 134 b and/or the hemodynamic system 134 a prior to the insertion. The physician may operate the FM control system 134 b for performing the medical procedure. For example, the physician may start, record, and/or stop data acquisition. The physician may press a start button, for example, via a graphical user interface (GUI) display on the FM control system 134, to begin data acquisition. The FM control system 134 sends a control signal carrying a start command to the wireless router 132. The wireless router 132 forwards the control signal to the FM-PIM 130. The FM-PIM 130 begins to collect sensor measurements from the sensors on the intraluminal sensing device 102. The FM-PIM 130 computes physiologic data, for example, representative of a certain diagnostic modality. The FM-PIM 130 transmits the physiologic data to the FM control system 134 b and/or the FM console system 134 c for display. The physician or clinician may also initiate recording and/or stopping the data acquisition using similar mechanisms as the starting of the data acquisition.

In some embodiments, the hemodynamic system 134 a may facilitate physiologic data computation at the FM-PIM 130. As described above, the hemodynamic system 134 a can include instruments for collecting aortic or proximal pressure measurements and/or ECG measurements. For example, the hemodynamic system 134 a can collect aortic or proximal pressure and/or ECG measurements from the patient while the intraluminal sensing device 102 is taking distal pressure measurements from the patient. The hemodynamic system 134 a may send data signals carrying the aortic proximal pressure and/or ECG measurements to the wireless router 132. The wireless router 132 forwards the data signals to the FM-PIM 130. The FM-PIM 130 may compute an FFR based on the distal pressure measurement measured by the intraluminal sensing device 102 and the aortic or proximal pressure measurement received from the hemodynamic system 134 a. In some instances, the FM-PIM 130 may identify a diagnostic window during the cardiac cycle (e.g., when resistance is naturally constant and minimized, such as based on ECG signal waveforms) and compute an iFR value based the proximal and distal pressure measurements obtained during the diagnostic window.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an architecture of the FM-PIM 130, according to aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating functional blocks of the FM-PIM 130, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The FM-PIM 130 includes a processing component 410, a patient isolation circuit 420, a PoE component 430, a memory 440, and a display 450 encased in a housing 400. The housing 400 may be constructed from a rigid material, such as plastic and/or metal. The processing component 410 is coupled to the memory 440, the display 450, and the sensor assembly 116 of the intraluminal sensing device 102. The processing component 410 includes a microcontroller 412, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) 414, and an application processing component 416. The patient isolation circuit 420 couples the PoE component 430 to the processing component 410.

The PoE component 430 is configured to draw power and communicate data via the Ethernet cable 140. For example, the PoE component 430 may include a PoE controller, an Ethernet device, a direct current (DC)/DC converter. The PoE controller draws or requests power from the wireless router 132 via the Ethernet cable 140. The PoE device controller may also handle signaling required for PoE communication. The DC/DC converter converts input voltage received from the wireless router 132 into a suitable voltage level for operating the processing component 410 and the sensor assembly 116. For example, the PoE component 430 is coupled to the power circuitry within the FM-PIM 130 and the electrical interface 122 of the intraluminal sensing device 102. The Ethernet device may include transceivers and medium access control (MAC) processors configured to communicate data with the wireless router 132 according to an Ethernet protocol. The transportations of the data and power may be over the same twisted pair or different twisted pairs.

The patient isolation circuit 420 includes circuitry configured to provide electrical isolation between the PoE component 430 and the intraluminal sensing device 102, which is in contact with a patient body when in use. For example, in an event where a short or electrical malfunction occurs, the patient isolation circuit 420 may restrict the line voltage from passing from the PoE component 430 to the patient undergoing an intraluminal sensing procedure. The patient isolation circuit 420 may also restrict the amount of low-level RF signals that may be passed to the patient body.

The memory 440 may include volatile memory and non-volatile memory of any suitable memory types, including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), static random-access memory (SRAM), and combinations thereof. The memory 440 is configured to store physiologic data computed by the processing component 410.

The display 450 may be any suitable displaying device having a display panel integral with the housing 400. The display 450 is configured to display physiologic data computed by the processing component 410, such as FFR, iFR, CFR, and/or other suitable quantity.

As shown in FIG. 5, the FPGA 414 includes one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 512 coupled to a signal conditioning component 514. The ADCs 512 includes circuitry configured to receive analog sensor signals, for example, from pressure and/or flow sensors on the sensor assembly 116, and convert the analog sensor signals to digital sensor signals. The signal conditioning component 514 is coupled to the ADCs 512. The signal conditioning component 514 is configured to perform signal conditioning on the digital sensor signals. Signal conditioning may include signal amplification, filtering, and/or noise reduction.

The microcontroller 412 is coupled to the FPGA 414. For example, a control firmware may be stored on the memory 440 and executed by the microcontroller 412. The control firmware may include state machines 510 configured to control the operations of the FPGA 414. For example, the state machines 510 may control the starting and ending of a particular signal conditioning circuitry. While the microcontroller 412 is illustrated as a separate component from the FPGA 414, in some embodiments, the microcontroller 412 can be implemented as part of the FPGA 414.

The application processing component 416 is coupled to the FPGA 414. The application processing component 416 can include hardware and/or software. In some embodiments, the application processing component 416 may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor, and/or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The application processing component 416 is configured to generate physiologic data from the conditioned sensor signals. The application processing component 416 may apply signal processing algorithms and/or physiologic analytic algorithms on the conditioned sensor signals. For example, the application processing component 416 may include a plurality of FM components 516. The FM component 516 may be configured to determine physiologic data of various modalities, which may be flow-related and/or pressure-related. The application processing component 416 may further include a data formatting component 518 configured to format the physiologic data according to display formats suitable for display on the systems 134. The data formatting component 518 can also packetize the physiologic data for transmission to the systems 134 via the wireless router 132.

In an embodiment, one of the FM components 516 is configured to compute FFRs. FFRs operate based on a physiologic principle, where pressures are proportional to changes in flow velocity when the vascular resistance is constant. To effectively measure FFR, a hyperemic agent is administered to a patient under test to reduce and stabilize the vascular resistance within the coronary arteries. FFR is a calculation of the ratio of a distal pressure measurement (taken on the distal side of a stenosis) relative to a proximal pressure measurement (taken on the proximal side of the stenosis). For example, the distal pressure measurement can be taken by inserting the intraluminal sensing device 102 equipped with a pressure sensor into a blood vessel and the proximal pressure measurement can be taken using the hemodynamic system 134 a. In an embodiment, the FM-PIM 130 may receive a data signal carrying the proximal pressure measurement from the hemodynamic system 134 a via the Ethernet cable 140 and the wireless router 132. FFR provides an index of stenosis severity that allows determination as to whether the blockage limits blood flow within the vessel to an extent that treatment is required. The FFR values can be formatted and/or packetized and simultaneously sent to one or more of the systems 134 and/or the display 450 for display. The FFR values can also be recorded and stored in the memory 440.

In an embodiment, one of the FM components 516 is configured to compute iFRs. The iFR modality does not rely on hyperemic agents to stabilize the vasculature pressure. The iFR refers to an instantaneous pressure ratio across a stenosis during a wave-free period. A wave-free period refers to a restful interval of a cardiac cycle where the vascular resistance is naturally constant. For example, a diagnostic window representing a restful interval in a cardiac cycle is identified based on proximal pressure measurements and/or distal pressure measurements and subsequently iFRs are determined based on flow velocity measurements of fluid flow in the blood vessel during the diagnostic window. Details of vessel assessment mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,339,348, titled “DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR ASSESSING A VESSEL,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The iFR values can be simultaneously sent to one or more of the systems 134 and/or the display 450. The iFR modality allows for real-time or live measurements and monitoring. The iFR values can also be recorded and stored in the memory 440.

In an embodiment, one of the FM components 516 is configured to compute CFRs. CFRs are ratios between resting and maximal possible coronary blood flow. For example, a measurement of a fluid velocity within a blood vessel can be taken by advancing the intraluminal sensing device 102 equipped with a flow sensor into the blood vessel. CFR can be computed based on the fluid velocity measurement and the cross-sectional area of the blood vessel. The vessel area can be estimated or measured based on angiography and/or optical coherence tomography measurements. The CFR values can be simultaneously sent to one or more of the systems 134 and/or the display 450. The CFR values can also be recorded and stored in the memory 440.

By implementing the FM components 516 and the data formatting component 518 in the PIM 130, the processed physiologic data can be advantageously distributed in a format for display by any suitable display of the systems 134. In prior configurations, data from a PIM would be transmitted to the particular computing device (e.g., a console) where the data would be processed. According to the present disclose, the data can be processed at the PIM 130 without being transmitted to a particular system, and the data can be transmitted in a display format to any number of systems 134. For example, physiologic data processing and formatting can be completed entirely within the PIM 130 and the physiologic data for display can be transmitted from the PIM to any suitable computer/monitor for display. In this manner, the physiologic data processing and formatting can be decoupled from larger, bulky computer systems and completed within relatively smaller, lighter, and more mobile PIM 130.

In some embodiments, FFR measurements, iFR measurements, and/or CFR measurements can be further correlated and/or analyzed in conjunction with angiography measurements to provide physician with clinical guidance to estimate stenosis severity and aid appropriate treatment. While FIG. 5 illustrates the FM components 516 being implemented on the application processing component 416, in some embodiments, the FM components 516 can be implemented by the microcontroller 412 and/or the FPGA 414.

In some embodiments, the FM-PIM 130 may receive a control signal carrying control commands, such as start, stop, and/or record, and the processing component 410 may control the sensor assembly 116 and/or the physiologic data computations at the FPGA 414 and/or the application processing components 416 accordingly.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 600 of performing physiologic sensing, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Steps of the method 600 can be executed by a computing device (e.g., a processor, processing circuit, and/or other suitable component) of a PIM such as the FM-PIM 130. The method 600 may employ similar mechanisms as described with respect to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. As illustrated, the method 600 includes a number of enumerated steps, but embodiments of the method 600 may include additional steps before, after, and in between the enumerated steps. In some embodiments, one or more of the enumerated steps may be omitted or performed in a different order.

At step 610, the method 600 includes receiving a sensor signal associated with a body lumen of a patient from an intraluminal sensing device (e.g., the intraluminal sensing device 102. Then sensor signal may be a pressure sensor signal or a flow sensor signal.

At step 620, the method 600 includes determining physiologic data (e.g., FFRs, iFRs, and/or CFRs) based on at least the sensor signal.

At step 630, the method 600 includes receiving power (e.g., the power signal shown by the arrow 142) from a wireless router (e.g., the wireless router 132) via a signal link (e.g., the Ethernet cable 140).

At step 640, the method 600 includes formatting the physiologic data according to a display format of a computing device (e.g., the systems 134).

At step 650, the method 600 includes transmitting the physiologic data in the display format to the computing device (e.g., the systems 134) via the signal link and the wireless router.

Aspects of the present disclosure may provide several benefits. For example, the use of the PoE link for both power and data communications can reduce the amount of cabling that is typically required in an intraluminal system. The coupling of the PoE link to a wireless router enables the distribution of physiologic data to multiple systems without additional cable connections. In addition, computing the physiologic data at the FM-PIM can offload FM algorithms that are typically computed at a target system with a direct wired connection to the intraluminal sensing device. Thus, other systems monitoring the physiologic data can be light-weight, low-cost wireless devices and systems.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the apparatus, systems, and methods described above can be modified in various ways. Accordingly, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary embodiments described above. In that regard, although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An intraluminal sensing system, comprising: a patient interface module (PIM) in communication with an intraluminal device comprising a physiologic sensor, a wireless router via a signal link, and a computing device in wireless communication with the wireless router, wherein the PIM comprises: a processing component configured to: receive a sensor signal from the physiologic sensor; and determine physiologic data based on at least the sensor signal; and a power and communication component configured to: receive power from the signal link; and transmit, to the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, the physiologic data.
 2. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the power and communication component is further configured to receive a control signal from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, and wherein the processing component is further configured to receive the sensor signal based on at least the control signal.
 3. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the power and communication component is further configured to receive a control signal from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, and wherein the processing component is further configured to determine the physiologic data based on the control signal.
 4. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the power and communication component is further configured to provide the power received from the signal link to the physiologic sensor of the intraluminal device.
 5. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the power and communication component is further configured to provide the power received from the signal link to the processing component.
 6. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the PIM further includes a memory coupled to the processing component and configured to store the physiologic data.
 7. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the PIM further includes a display coupled to the processing component and configured to display the physiologic data.
 8. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the power and communication component is further configured to receive, from a hemodynamic system via the signal link and the wireless router, a proximal pressure measurement, and wherein the processing component is further configured to determine the physiologic data by: determining a distal pressure measurement based on the sensor signal; and determine a pressure ratio based on the proximal pressure measurement and the distal pressure measurement.
 9. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the processing component is further configured to determine the physiologic data by: determining, based on the sensor signal, a flow-related value.
 10. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, further comprising the intraluminal device.
 11. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 10, wherein the physiologic sensor comprises at least one of a pressure sensor or a flow sensor.
 12. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the PIM further comprises a patient isolation circuit coupled between the power and communication component and the processing component.
 13. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the processing component is configured to format the physiologic data into a format usable by the computing device to display the physiologic data, and wherein the power and communication component is configured to transmit the physiologic data in the format usable by the computing device to display the physiologic data.
 14. The intraluminal sensing system of claim 1, wherein the PIM is in communication with a second computing device in wireless communication with the wireless router, and wherein the power and communication component is further configured to transmit, to the second computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, the physiologic data.
 15. A method of performing physiologic sensing, comprising: receiving, by a patient interface module (PIM) from an intraluminal sensing device, a sensor signal; determining, by the PIM, physiologic data based on at least the sensor signal; receiving, by the PIM, power from a wireless router via a signal link; and transmitting, by the PIM to a computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, the physiologic data.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving, by the PIM from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, a control signal, wherein the receiving the sensor signal includes receiving the sensor signal based on at least the control signal.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving, by the PIM from the computing device via the signal link and the wireless router, a control signal, wherein the determining the physiologic data includes determining the physiologic data further based on at least the control signal.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving, by the PIM from a hemodynamic system via the signal link and the wireless router, a proximal pressure measurement, wherein the determining the physiologic data includes: determining a distal pressure measurement based on the sensor signal; and determining a pressure ratio based on the proximal pressure measurement and the distal pressure measurement.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining the physiologic data includes determining a flow-related value.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising formatting, by the PIM, the physiologic data according to a display format of the computing device, wherein the transmitting the physiologic data includes transmitting the physiologic data in the display format of the computing device. 